Compact Filter Press With Removable Spacer Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter presses are technically complex, expensive, and have an unfavorable size, making them difficult to transport and install in cramped spaces due to their mechanical complexity and size, which limits their use in small rooms and transportation via standard vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A compact filter press design featuring a removable spacer plate between the head and end plates, allowing for minimal space requirements, with a pressure unit using compressed air to generate high surface pressure and a pressure plate for efficient sealing, enabling easy movement of chamber plates for filter cake removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders with mechanically complex toggle levers are used to clamp chamber plates, then sufficient surface pressure for sealing is achieved, but the device becomes technically complex and expensive with unfavorable size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pneumatic pressure unit (air cushion) instead of hydraulic cylinders with mechanical linkages. The air cushion generates high surface pressure through pneumatic force when pressurized with compressed air, eliminating the need for complex mechanical toggle levers and hydraulic systems while achieving the required sealing pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and pressure parameters of the air cushion to generate sufficient clamping force. By controlling the air pressure and volume of the air cushion, the system achieves variable pressing forces needed for both sealing and opening operations without mechanical complexity.
2Stress or pressure
If hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are used to clamp chamber plates, then sealing pressure is achieved, but the device size becomes unfavorable for transport and installation in cramped spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The air cushion pressure unit has a compact structure compared to hydraulic cylinders with mechanical linkages. It can be integrated within the chamber plate assembly, significantly reducing the overall device volume and making it suitable for transport and installation in cramped spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The air cushion is positioned within the space between chamber plates, and the pressure unit is integrated into the existing structure. This nesting approach minimizes external dimensions while maintaining internal functionality for generating sealing pressure.
3Length of moving object
If the pressure unit expands to provide sufficient stroke for opening chamber plates, then movement freedom is achieved, but the surface pressure and contact area decrease rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a removable spacer plate that segments the operational space. During sealing, the spacer plate maintains optimal contact pressure. During opening, the spacer plate is removed to provide the necessary movement stroke without compromising the pressure generation capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on operational mode. The air cushion volume and pressure are controlled to provide high surface pressure during sealing, while the removable spacer plate enables sufficient stroke during opening by changing the spatial constraints of the system.
4Ease of operation
If the device is designed to be compact for easy transport, then ease of operation is improved, but sufficient movement space for removing filter cake may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The removable spacer plate creates a segmented operational sequence: first compact configuration for transport and sealing, then expanded configuration for filter cake removal. This segmentation allows the device to achieve both compactness and sufficient opening space by changing its structural configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cake is loosened and prepared for removal during the pressurized sealing phase, so that when the spacer plate is removed and chamber plates are opened, the filter cake can be easily extracted without requiring excessive movement space during the critical sealing operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves a highly compact and efficient filter press that can be easily transported and installed in small spaces, allowing for single-person operation and use in tight areas, while maintaining effective sealing and filtration capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure unit can be formed from an air cushion that can be pressurized with compressed air as the working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The press (1) has head and end plates (10, 15) connected with each other by a connecting rod (16). Filter chambers are formed between adjacent chamber plates (11) that are arranged in an operational position by a clamping device. The filter chambers are sealably pressed together in the clamping device and decontrolled in an opening position, where the filter chambers are opened in the opening position. Operating fluid acts on a pressure unit (14) that is formed as the clamping device, and a removable distance plate (12) is provided between the head and end plates.